Continued Employment During 482/494 Nomination Transfer
The Department of Home Affairs has recently confirmed greater flexibility and security for visa holders transitioning between employers.
In a positive development, the Department has confirmed that Subclass 482 and 494 visa holders who have ceased working for their sponsor and lodged a new nomination application to change employers within the 180 day timeframe are now permitted to commence employment with their prospective sponsor while awaiting nomination approval, even if the condition 8607(5) and 8608(5) timeframes have expired. This change ensures that visa holders are not disadvantaged by processing delays and can maintain continuous employment and financial stability during the transition.
Updated Processing Times for Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visas
The Department of Home Affairs has recently updated the processing times for the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) visa, reflecting a significant increase from previous estimates.
Updated Processing Times as at 26 March 2025
The latest figures indicate that 90% of applications are now processed within:
- Specialist Skills Stream: 39 days
- Core Skills Stream: 47 days
This marks a notable rise from the previously advised median processing times of 7 days for Specialist Skills stream and 21 days for the Core Skills stream.
These extended processing times may impact workforce planning and project timelines for employers relying on skilled overseas workers. Applicants should anticipate longer waiting periods and plan accordingly.
The Department has indicated that escalation requests will only be considered for applications exceeding the updated processing times. Therefore, any requests for expedited processing should be submitted only if the application has surpassed the 39 day or 47 day timeframe, depending on the stream.
We recommend early planning by initiating the visa application process as early as possible to accommodate potential delays.
Annual Increase in Skilled Visa Income Thresholds from 1 July 2025
The Department has announced that from 1 July 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will increase by 4.6% in line with the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). This adjustment is part of the Government’s Migration Strategy, ensuring that skilled migration wages keep pace with Australian workers’ earnings and preventing undercutting of local wages.
New Income Thresholds from 1 July 2025
- Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): Increases from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515
- Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): Increases from AUD 135,000 to AUD 141,210
- Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): Increases from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515
What this means for employers and skilled visa applicants?
- New applications must meet updated thresholds: From 1 July 2025, all new nomination applications must meet the new minimum income threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
- No impact on existing visa holders: These changes do not affect existing visa holders or applications lodged before 1 July 2025.
- Employers need to adjust salary offers: Businesses sponsoring skilled migrants should review their salary structures to ensure they meet the new thresholds for nominations submitted from 1 July 2025 onwards.
This update is crucial for both employers and skilled workers to consider when planning future visa applications. If you have any questions or need assistance with your skilled visa application, it is recommended to contact us for tailored advice and guidance.
New Northern Territory DAMA III Effective 19 March 2025
The Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA III) came into effect on 19 March 2025 and will remain in place until 30 June 2030. This agreement, made between the Northern Territory and Australian governments, allows employers facing workforce shortages to access up to 1,500 overseas workers annually across a wide range of occupations experiencing critical shortages.
Key changes under NT DAMA III
- Expanded Occupation List – More roles are now eligible for sponsorship.
- Increased Nomination Places – Employers can nominate more skilled workers.
- Streamlined Application Processes – Faster processing to meet workforce demands.
Transition from NT DAMA II to NT DAMA III
The previous NT DAMA II expired on 13 December 2024, and endorsement applications under that program are now closed. While the transition to NT DAMA III is underway, businesses cannot submit new endorsement applications until the online portal reopens by 31 March 2025.
What This Means for Employers:
- Existing DAMA II Endorsements – Employers with an approved NT DAMA II endorsement before 13 December 2024 can still submit labour agreement requests and nomination applications to the Department of Home Affairs.
- Skills Assessments – Applications for skills assessments for previously endorsed positions under NT DAMA II will continue to be accepted.
- Transitioning to DAMA III – Businesses with existing labour agreements can continue lodging nominations under their approved ceilings. However, if additional places are required or new occupations/concessions under DAMA III need to be accessed, a new endorsement application will be required once the portal opens.
What Employers Should Do Now
- While new applications cannot yet be submitted, businesses can start gathering required documents in preparation for NT DAMA III.
- The official website will provide detailed information about new settings and application processes once the system is fully operational.
For businesses looking to sponsor skilled workers, these changes present a valuable opportunity to address workforce shortages and streamline hiring processes.
Key Immigration Statistics and Updates from the 14th Edition of the Administration of Immigration Programs Report
The Department of Home Affairs has released the 14th edition of the “Administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Programs” report, providing updated statistics up to 31 December 2024. Here are some key highlights:
- Visitor Visas: The number of visitor visa holders in Australia saw a notable increase, reflecting a resurgence in international travel. In 2024-25 to 31 December 2024, Visitor visa application lodgements increased by 3.1 per cent.
- WHV Program Growth: The Working Holiday Maker program expanded, with increased participation from various countries, contributing to the labor force in regional areas. As of 31 December 2024, Australia has WHM program arrangements with 50 partner countries and regions.
- Onshore Applications: Around 60 per cent of visas under the Migration Program are granted to migrants already onshore and in the community, residing in established households at the time of visa grant.
- Skilled Migration: The Skilled Migration Program continued to attract professionals in high-demand occupations, aligning with Australia’s economic needs.
- Partner Visa Program: Partner visa applications lodgements have increased 16.9 per cent in 2024-25 to 31 December 2024, compared to the corresponding period in 2023-24.
- Aged Care Industry Labour Agreements: As of January 31, 2025, there were 113 Aged Care Industry Labour Agreements in place, enabling the recruitment of over 29,000 direct care workers, depending on demand. By January 10, 2025, a total of 2,649 visas had been granted under these agreements, reflecting ongoing support for the aged care sector.
- Pacific Engagement Visa: The inaugural Pacific Engagement Visa ballot closed with 56,133 valid primary registrations. As at 31 December 2024, a total of 1,485 PEV applications have been lodged with the Department. The high number of registrations reflects strong interest in this program, which aims to enhance Pacific engagement and support Australia’s ties with its neighboring countries.
- Regional Migration: In the Migration Program year to 31 December 2024, more than 16,000 regional visa applications have been lodged. The regional migration program is on track to be delivered in full.
Read the full report here.
Changes to Onshore Student Visa Applications
Since 1 January 2025, the Department of Home Affairs will no longer accept Letters of Offer from education providers for individuals applying for a Student visa while in Australia. Onshore applicants will be required to include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of their visa application.
What this means:
- If you’re applying for a Student visa from within Australia, you will need to provide a CoE as part of your application
- If you fail to provide a CoE at the time of application, your application will be considered invalid, and the Department of Home Affairs will not assess it.
- Without a valid application, a Bridging visa cannot be granted.
This change aligns the requirements for onshore and offshore Student visa applications, strengthening the commitment from applicants to study in Australia. It is designed to provide greater certainty for Australia’s international education sector by ensuring that applicants are fully committed to their intended course of study.
Aged Parent Visa Changes – Substituted Visitor Visa
The Australian Government has introduced a key update to migration law, expanding the eligibility for Aged Parent visas. Under the Migration Amendment (Substituted Subclass 600 Visa Exemptions) Regulations 2025, holders of a Substituted Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa, granted via ministerial intervention, can now apply for an Aged Parent (Subclass 804), Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 864), or Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 884) visa—even if they do not meet the usual age requirements.
Key Highlights:
- Applies retroactively from 17 December 2024
- Offers a clearer pathway to permanent residency for affected parents
- Supports family reunification and aligns with Australia’s human rights obligations
- Ensures fairness and consistency in migration policy
This update is a significant opportunity for families wishing to bring their parents to Australia permanently.
Restricting foreign ownership of housing
The Australian Government has announced significant changes to foreign ownership of housing, effective from 1 April 2025. Foreign persons, including temporary residents and foreign owned companies, will be banned from purchasing established dwellings for the next two years.
Exceptions to the Ban Include:
- Investments that contribute significantly to increasing housing supply or support the availability of housing on a commercial scale, or in specific schemes like the PALM program
- Purchases by foreign owned companies to provide housing for workers in certain circumstances
To ensure the ban is enforced and compliance is met, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will receive $5.7 million over four years (2025–2026) to strengthen foreign investment screening.
Key Details:
- Foreign investors can still purchase vacant residential and non-residential land to build new properties, but this will be subject to strict scrutiny by the ATO to ensure compliance with development conditions.
- The ban is expected to help address the housing shortage by prioritizing housing availability for Australians while encouraging foreign investment to increase housing supply.
Impact of the Change: While this change is a minor shift from current regulations, its primary goal is to ensure housing is more accessible to Australians. However, its success will largely depend on how effectively the ATO implements screening and audit processes to enforce the ban.
The Government has also announced that a review will take place after the two-year ban to determine whether it should be extended.
For further information or assistance, please feel free to reach out to us for advice.
For advice and visa support, contact Migration Affairs at info@migrationaffairs.com.au or www.migrationaffairs.com.au/contact.
+61 2 8226 8777
Changes to the migration program can occur without notice. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is correct as of the date of writing this article.
Contact Migrations Affairs to speak with our immigration experts for tailored advice on the circumstances and eligibility.
